JP2014029609A - Image forming system and information processing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming system capable of improving convenience of a user by reducing the number of operations performed by the user in execution of jobs (setting of setting values).SOLUTION: A server 200 of an image forming system SA, when setting values in execution of jobs is selected that is of an image forming apparatus 100 different from an image forming apparatus 100 to be used as setting values to be set to the image forming apparatus 100 to be used, determines setting values corresponding to the selected setting values from setting values of setting items of the image forming apparatus 100 to be used on the basis of setting value determination information T.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming system and an information processing apparatus.

  Conventionally, an image forming apparatus that can be connected to a network such as the Internet is known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an image forming system in which an image forming apparatus and a server are communicably connected via a network.

  In such an image forming system, setting information for changing setting values of setting items of the image forming apparatus can be stored in the server. Thus, if the setting information corresponding to the desired setting value is stored in the server in advance, the setting value of the image forming apparatus can be set to the desired setting value simply by transmitting the setting information from the server to the image forming apparatus. Therefore, an input operation for changing the setting value of the image forming apparatus to a desired setting value is unnecessary, which is convenient.

JP 2011-152717 A

  For example, an image forming system may be configured by connecting a plurality of image forming apparatuses to a server in a communicable manner. In this case, depending on the user, there is a case where the setting value (desired setting value) set for the previously used image forming apparatus is to be set again for the image forming apparatus currently used. However, if the specifications (for example, manufacturers) of the image forming apparatus used before and the image forming apparatus used at the present time are different from each other, a desired setting that can be set in the previously used image forming apparatus. May not be set in the image forming apparatus currently used. Therefore, the user can input to change the setting value of the image forming apparatus that is currently used so that a result equivalent to the result obtained when the job is executed with the desired setting value is obtained. The operation must be performed, and the convenience is poor.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and is capable of improving user convenience by reducing the number of operations performed by a user when executing a job (setting a setting value). It is an object to provide a system and an information processing apparatus.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image forming system of the present invention is connected to a plurality of image forming apparatuses and a plurality of image forming apparatuses so that the image forming apparatus to be used has a plurality of image forming apparatuses. An information processing apparatus that transmits setting information for changing the setting value of the current setting value of the setting item to the selected setting value to the image forming apparatus to be used. The information processing apparatus is information indicating the correspondence between the setting values of the setting items that each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses has, and the setting selected from the setting values of the setting items of the image forming apparatus to be used A storage unit that stores setting value determination information, which is information for determining a setting value corresponding to the value, and a setting value set in the image forming apparatus to be used. When the setting value at the time of job execution is selected, the setting value corresponding to the selected setting value is determined from the setting values of the setting items of the target image forming apparatus based on the setting value determination information. And a processing unit that transmits setting information for changing the setting value of the current target image forming apparatus to the determined setting value to the target image forming apparatus.

  In the configuration of the present invention, as described above, the storage unit of the information processing apparatus is information indicating the correspondence between the setting values of the setting items that each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses has, and the settings that the image forming apparatus to be used have Setting value determination information, which is information for determining a setting value corresponding to the selected setting value from among the setting values of the item, is stored. In addition, the processing unit of the information processing apparatus sets the setting value when the job execution of the image forming apparatus different from the target image forming apparatus is selected as the setting value to be set for the target image forming apparatus. Based on the value determination information, the setting value corresponding to the selected setting value is determined from the setting values of the setting items included in the target image forming apparatus, and the current setting value of the target image forming apparatus is determined. The setting information for changing the setting to the set value is transmitted to the image forming apparatus to be used. That is, in this configuration, it is assumed that the user has selected a setting value at the time of job execution of an image forming apparatus having a specification (for example, manufacturer) different from that of the target image forming apparatus as a setting value to be set in the target image forming apparatus. In addition, the setting values selected by the user are applied to the target image forming device so that the result is substantially the same (including approximation) as that obtained when the job is executed with the setting value selected by the user. The setting value is changed to a possible setting value, and the changed setting value is set in the image forming apparatus to be used. As a result, even if the setting value at the time of job execution of the image forming apparatus whose specification is different from that of the target image forming apparatus is set in the target image forming apparatus, the current setting value of the target image forming apparatus Since it is not necessary to perform an input operation for changing the setting to a desired setting value, the convenience for the user is improved.

  In the above configuration, preferably, the storage unit of the information processing apparatus stores use history information indicating a use history of the image forming apparatus that has executed the job among the plurality of image forming apparatuses, and the image forming apparatus or the information processing to be used. The apparatus accepts an instruction for selecting usage history information, and selects a setting value at the time of job execution of the image forming apparatus indicated by the selected usage history information as a setting value to be set for the image forming apparatus to be used. Accept. As a result, when it is desired to set a desired set value in the image forming apparatus to be used, it is only necessary to select the use history information when the job has been executed with the desired set value in the past. improves.

  In the above configuration, preferably, when the processing unit of the information processing apparatus determines a setting value corresponding to the image forming apparatus to be used based on the setting value determination information, a setting value corresponding to the selected setting value exists. If not, an alternative setting value to replace the selected setting value is determined. Accordingly, when the current setting value of the image forming apparatus to be used cannot be changed to a desired setting value, it is not necessary to examine an alternative setting value, so that convenience for the user is improved.

  In this case, it is preferable that the image forming apparatus or the information processing apparatus to be used accepts whether or not an alternative setting value that replaces the selected setting value is determined as a setting value that is actually set. Thus, for a user who does not want to execute a job with an alternative setting value, the job can be canceled, which is convenient.

  In the above configuration, the image forming apparatus or the information processing apparatus to be used preferably executes the job if the execution of the job with the setting value determined by the information processing apparatus is restricted in the image forming apparatus to be used. Notify that it is restricted. Accordingly, it is possible for the user to quickly recognize that the execution of the job is restricted, which is convenient.

  In the above configuration, preferably, the processing unit of the information processing apparatus acquires information indicating setting items and setting values of the newly added image forming apparatus from the newly added image forming apparatus, and sets the setting value. Update the discrimination information. Thereby, even if a new image forming apparatus is added, the set value determination process based on the set value determination information can be performed reliably.

  In the above configuration, a portable information terminal connected to be communicable with a plurality of image forming apparatuses and information processing apparatuses may be provided. In this case, the portable information terminal receives a setting value selection instruction to be set in the image forming apparatus to be used, and transmits information indicating the selected setting value to the information processing apparatus. Accordingly, when the user changes the current setting value of the target image forming apparatus to the desired setting value, it is not necessary to go to the side of the target image forming apparatus, which is convenient.

  In addition, the information processing apparatus of the present invention is communicably connected to a plurality of image forming apparatuses, and a setting value selected from current setting values of setting items of the image forming apparatus to be used among the plurality of image forming apparatuses An information processing apparatus that transmits setting information for changing a setting to an image forming apparatus to be used, which is information indicating a correspondence relationship between setting values of setting items that each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses has. A storage unit that stores setting value discrimination information that is information for discriminating a setting value corresponding to a selected setting value from among setting values of setting items that the image forming device has, and an image forming apparatus that is a target of use When a setting value at the time of job execution of an image forming apparatus different from the image forming apparatus to be used is selected as the setting value to be set, the image forming apparatus to be used has based on the setting value determination information Setting information for determining the setting value corresponding to the selected setting value from the setting values of the fixed item, and changing the setting value to the determined setting value at the current setting value of the image forming apparatus to be used is used. And a processing unit that transmits the image to the image forming apparatus.

  In the information processing apparatus configured as described above, even when a setting value at the time of job execution of an image forming apparatus having a specification different from that of the target image forming apparatus is set in the target image forming apparatus, Since it is not necessary to perform an input operation for changing the current setting value of the image forming apparatus to a desired setting value, convenience for the user is improved.

  As described above, according to the present invention, an image forming system and an information processing apparatus capable of improving user convenience by reducing operations performed by a user when executing a job (setting a setting value) are obtained. be able to.

1 is a schematic diagram of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an image forming apparatus included in the image forming system shown in FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus and an information processing apparatus included in the image forming system illustrated in FIG. The figure which showed an example of the screen displayed when the selection instruction | indication of a setting value is received in the image forming system shown in FIG. The figure which showed an example of the setting value discrimination | determination information used for a setting value discrimination | determination process in the image forming system shown in FIG. The figure which showed an example of the screen displayed when the confirmation instruction | indication of an alternative setting value is received in the image forming system shown in FIG. The figure which showed an example of the screen displayed when execution of a job is restrict | limited in the image forming system shown in FIG. Flowchart for explaining an operation when setting information is transmitted from the information processing apparatus to the image forming apparatus in the image forming system shown in FIG. The figure for demonstrating the structure of the image forming system by the modification of this invention. The figure for demonstrating the structure of the image forming system by the modification of this invention.

(Overall configuration of image forming system)
As shown in FIG. 1, an image forming system SA according to an embodiment of the present invention includes at least a plurality of image forming apparatuses 100 and a server 200. The image forming apparatus 100 and the server 200 each have a communication function. As a result, the image forming apparatus 100 and the server 200 can communicate with each other. For example, the image forming apparatus 100 and the server 200 are communicably connected to each other via a network NT such as the Internet. The server 200 corresponds to the “information processing apparatus” of the present invention.

  The number of image forming apparatuses 100 included in the image forming system SA is not particularly limited as long as it is two or more. However, at least one image forming apparatus 100 among the plurality of image forming apparatuses 100 is different in specification (for example, manufacturer) from other image forming apparatuses 100. As an example, FIG. 1 illustrates a case where the number of image forming apparatuses 100 is two (image forming apparatuses 100a and 100b).

  The image forming apparatus 100 may be a multifunction machine, a copier, a printer, or a facsimile machine. For example, both the image forming apparatuses 100a and 100b may be a multifunction peripheral, or the image forming apparatus 100a may be a multifunction peripheral and the other image forming apparatus 100b may be a combination of a copying machine. That is, what image forming apparatus 100 is included in the image forming system SA can be changed.

  In the image forming system SA, a portable information terminal 300 (see FIGS. 9 and 10) may be added, and when adding the portable information terminal 300, the server 200 may be omitted. Details will be described later.

  Next, an example of the configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 will be described. In the following description, it is assumed that the image forming apparatus 100 is a multifunction peripheral. In other words, the image forming apparatus 100 described below can execute a plurality of types of jobs such as a copy job, a scan job, and a fax job.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 100 includes an operation panel 101, a document conveying unit 102 </ b> A, an image reading unit 102 </ b> B, a paper feeding unit 103, a paper conveying unit 104, an image forming unit 105, a fixing unit 106, and a post-processing unit 107. Etc. The mechanism unit including the paper feeding unit 103, the paper transport unit 104, the image forming unit 105, and the fixing unit 106 becomes a printing unit 108 (see FIG. 3). The operation panel 101 corresponds to the “operation display unit” of the present invention.

  The operation panel 101 is disposed on the front side of the apparatus. The operation panel 101 includes hard keys 11 such as a numeric keypad for accepting numerical input and a start key for accepting a job execution start instruction. The operation panel 101 also includes a liquid crystal display unit 12 having a touch panel provided on the display surface. The liquid crystal display unit 12 displays a screen on which soft keys and messages for accepting input operations from the user are arranged. The touch panel of the liquid crystal display unit 12 is provided to detect a soft key designated by the user (a soft key touched by the user via the touch panel).

  By the way, there are many setting items (sometimes referred to as “functions”) that allow setting values to be changed when various jobs are executed. Therefore, the operation panel 101 accepts a setting value setting change instruction from the user when executing various jobs. For example, the operation panel 101 displays a setting screen (not shown) when accepting a setting value setting change instruction from the user. Then, the user operates the operation panel 101 to change the setting value.

  Setting items that can be changed when executing a copy job include paper selection, reduction / enlargement, density, duplex / split, page aggregation, sort / sort, document size, document set orientation, document size mixed loading, Paper tip, Staple, Original image quality, Eco print, Hue adjustment, Color balance, Sharpness, Ground color adjustment, Anti-blurring, Saturation, Margin, Continuous reading, Automatic image rotation, Job end notification, Document name input, Priority printing Black and white inversion, mirror image, and interrupt copy. For jobs other than copy jobs, there are many setting items for which setting values can be changed during execution.

  For example, after selecting a desired setting item, the user changes the current setting value to a desired setting value. As an example, for “double-sided / divided”, “single-sided → double-sided” and “double-sided → single-sided” correspond to the set values, and for “page aggregation”, “4 in 1”, “2 in 1”, etc. correspond to the set values. To do. As for “density”, “dark”, “normal”, “light”, and the like correspond to set values. For “density”, “reduction / enlargement”, etc., the set values can be set to arbitrary numerical values. For “black and white reversal” and “mirror image (function to print an original as if it was reflected in a mirror)”, two of “set” and “not set” correspond to set values. For scan jobs and fax jobs, the destination address is also equivalent to the set value.

  The document conveying unit 102A is attached so as to be openable and closable around a rotating shaft (not shown) provided on the back side of the image reading unit 102B. The document conveying section 102A pulls out the document D set on the document setting tray 21, sends it to above the conveyance reading contact glass 20a, and discharges it to the document discharge tray 22. The document transport unit 102A also has a function of pressing the document D placed on the placement reading contact glass 20b.

  The image reading unit 102B reads the document D and generates image data. Although not shown, the image reading unit 102B is provided with optical system members such as an exposure lamp, a mirror, a lens, and an image sensor. Then, the image reading unit 102B irradiates the document D passing through the conveyance reading contact glass 20a or the document D placed on the placement reading contact glass 20b, and receives the reflected light from the document D. Image data is generated by A / D converting the output value of the image sensor. Accordingly, an image based on the image data obtained by the reading operation (scanning) of the document D by the image reading unit 102B can be printed. It is also possible to store image data obtained by scanning.

  The paper feed unit 103 has a plurality of cassettes 31 for storing paper P, and supplies the paper P stored in the plurality of cassettes 31 to the paper transport unit 104. The paper feed unit 103 is provided with a pickup roller 32 that pulls out the stored paper P, and a separation roller pair 33 for suppressing double feeding of the paper P.

  The paper transport unit 104 transports the paper P inside the image forming apparatus 100. Specifically, the paper P supplied from the paper supply unit 103 is transported by the paper transport unit 104 and passes through the image forming unit 105 and the fixing unit 106 in this order. The paper transport unit 104 is provided with a plurality of transport roller pairs 41 for transporting the paper P. Furthermore, a registration roller pair 42 is also provided that waits for the paper P in front of the image forming unit 105 and sends the paper P to the image forming unit 105 in time.

  The image forming unit 105 forms a toner image based on the image data, and transfers the toner image onto the paper P. The image forming unit 105 includes a photosensitive drum 51, a charging device 52, an exposure device 53, a developing device 54, a transfer roller 55, a cleaning device 56, and the like.

  As a toner image forming process and a toner image transfer process, first, the photosensitive drum 51 is rotationally driven, and the surface of the photosensitive drum 51 is charged to a predetermined potential by the charging device 52. The exposure device 53 outputs a light beam L based on the image data, and scans and exposes the surface of the photosensitive drum 51. As a result, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 51. The developing device 54 develops toner by supplying toner to the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 51.

  The transfer roller 55 can rotate while being pressed against the surface of the photosensitive drum 51. Further, a predetermined voltage is applied to the transfer roller 55. In this state, the registration roller pair 42 measures the timing and causes the paper P to enter between the transfer roller 55 and the photosensitive drum 51. As a result, the toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 51 is transferred to the paper P. When the toner image transfer process is completed, the cleaning device 56 removes the toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 51.

  The fixing unit 106 heats and presses the toner image transferred onto the paper P to fix it. The fixing unit 106 includes a fixing roller 61 having a built-in heat source and a pressure roller 62 that is pressed against the fixing roller 61. The paper P on which the toner image is transferred is heated and pressed by passing between the fixing roller 61 and the pressure roller 62. As a result, the toner image is fixed on the paper P and printing is completed.

  The post-processing unit 107 receives the printed paper P from the fixing unit 106 and performs post-processing such as sorting, stapling, and punching. Then, the post-processing unit 107 performs post-processing on the printed paper P and then discharges the paper P to the discharge tray 71.

  Next, an example of a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a control unit 110 having a CPU 111 that is a central processing unit. The control unit 110 is connected to the image processing unit 112 and the storage unit 113. The image processing unit 112 includes an ASIC dedicated to image processing, a memory, and the like, and performs various types of image processing (enlargement / reduction, density conversion, data format conversion, etc.) on the image data. The storage unit 113 includes a ROM, a RAM, an HDD, and the like. For example, a control program and control data necessary for executing various jobs are stored in the ROM, and the control program and control data are expanded in the RAM. .

  The control unit 110 is connected to the operation panel 101, the document conveyance unit 102 </ b> A, the image reading unit 102 </ b> B, the paper feeding unit 103, the paper conveyance unit 104, the image forming unit 105, the fixing unit 106, and the post-processing unit 107. The control unit 110 performs overall control, display control, image processing control, and drive control of a motor that rotates various rotating bodies, based on the control program and control data stored in the storage unit 113.

  Further, the control unit 110 is connected to the communication unit 114. The communication unit 114 receives an instruction from the control unit 110, communicates with the server 200, and transmits and receives information. The communication method is not particularly limited, and communication via the network NT such as the Internet may be performed, but the devices may be connected to each other by a cable or the like. For example, the communication unit 114 receives an instruction from the control unit 110 when a job is executed, and uses history information indicating a use history (file name, job execution date and time, size, file type, and setting at the time of job execution) Information indicating a value or the like) is transmitted to the server 200. At this time, thumbnail image data may be transmitted.

  Note that, in the image forming system SB (see FIG. 9) configured by the plurality of image forming apparatuses 100, the server 200, and the portable information terminal 300, the use history information is transmitted to at least one of the server 200 and the portable information terminal 300. In addition, in the image forming system SC (see FIG. 10) configured by the plurality of image forming apparatuses 100 and the portable information terminal 300, the use history information is transmitted to the portable information terminal 300.

  Next, an example of the hardware configuration of the server 200 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the server 200 includes a control unit 210 having a CPU 211. The control unit 210 corresponds to the “processing unit” of the present invention. The control unit 210 is connected to the storage unit 212 and the communication unit 213. The storage unit 212 stores various control programs and control data. The communication unit 213 is connected to the network NT and communicates with the image forming apparatus 100 via the network NT.

  When the usage history information is transmitted from the image forming apparatus 100, the control unit 210 instructs the communication unit 213 to acquire the usage history information. Then, the control unit 210 stores the usage history information acquired by the communication unit 213 in the storage unit 212 and manages the usage history of the image forming apparatus 100.

(Send setting information from the server to the image forming device)
The user simply selects the use history information stored in the server 200, and the setting value at the time of job execution of the image forming apparatus 100 indicated by the selected use history information of the current setting value of the image forming apparatus 100 to be used. You can change the setting. For example, when the use history information stored in the server 200 is selected by the user, the setting in which the current setting value of the target image forming apparatus 100 is selected from the server 200 to the target image forming apparatus 100 is selected. Setting information for changing the setting to a value (a setting value at the time of job execution of the image forming apparatus 100 indicated by the usage history information) is transmitted. As a result, it is unnecessary for the user to change the current setting value of the image forming apparatus 100 to be used one by one when executing a job, so that input operations are reduced and convenience is improved.

  However, if the image forming apparatus 100 (for example, the image forming apparatus 100b) having a different specification from the image forming apparatus 100 (for example, the image forming apparatus 100a) indicated by the usage history information is used, the usage history information indicates. The setting value at the time of job execution of the image forming apparatus 100a to be used cannot be applied as it is as the setting value of the image forming apparatus 100b to be used. For example, even though both “4in1” and “2in1” can be set for “page aggregation” in image forming apparatus 100a, only “2in1” can be set for “page aggregation” in image forming apparatus 100b (“4in1”). May not be set). Alternatively, an output result (density) when the “density” set value is set to “3” in the image forming apparatus 100 a and an output when the “density” set value is set to “3” in the image forming apparatus 100 b. The result (concentration) may be different. Note that even if the image forming apparatuses 100a and 100b are the same model, the output results (density and color) may vary depending on changes over time.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the control unit 210 of the server 200 sets a setting value at the time of job execution of the image forming apparatus 100 different from the image forming apparatus 100 to be used as a setting value to be set to the image forming apparatus 100 to be used. If selected, the selected setting value is changed to a setting value that can be set in the image forming apparatus 100 to be used.

  Specifically, first, usage history information is selected by the user, but the image forming apparatus 100 accepts an instruction to select the usage history information. When receiving an instruction to select usage history information from the user, the control unit 110 of the image forming apparatus 100 instructs the operation panel 101 to visually display the contents of the usage history information (file name, job execution date and time, size, etc.). Is displayed as an option. For example, the operation panel 101 displays a selection screen S1 as shown in FIG. On this selection screen S1, a list in which the contents of the usage history information are displayed as text is arranged. Then, the user selects, for example, an option indicating the date and time when the job is executed with a desired setting value from the list displayed on the selection screen S1, and presses the “OK” key K1. The selection is canceled when the “cancel” key K2 is pressed. Thereafter, the control unit 110 instructs the communication unit 114 to transmit the selected usage history information to the server 200.

  When receiving the selected usage history information, the control unit 210 of the server 200 determines whether the image forming apparatus 100 indicated by the selected usage history information is different from the image forming apparatus 100 to be used. In other words, the control unit 210 determines whether or not a setting value at the time of job execution of the image forming apparatus 100 different from the image forming apparatus 100 to be used is selected as a setting value to be set for the image forming apparatus 100 to be used. to decide. Then, if the image forming apparatus 100 indicated by the selected use history information is different from the image forming apparatus 100 to be used, the control unit 210 is selected based on the set value discrimination information T (see FIG. 5). The setting value (setting value at the time of job execution of the image forming apparatus 100 indicated by the usage history information) is changed to a setting value applicable to the image forming apparatus 100 to be used.

  The set value discrimination information T is a table as shown in FIG. 5 and is stored in the storage unit 212 of the server 200, for example. This setting value discrimination information T is information indicating the correspondence between the setting values of the setting items possessed by the plurality of image forming apparatuses 100 (information obtained by grouping the setting values of the setting items possessed by the plurality of image forming apparatuses 100 by type). ), And the setting corresponding to the selected setting value (setting value at the time of job execution of the image forming apparatus 100 indicated by the usage history information) among the setting values of the setting items of the image forming apparatus 100 to be used. This is information for determining the value. Hereinafter, a setting value relating to “page aggregation” as a setting item will be specifically described as an example.

  For example, both “4 in 1” and “2 in 1” can be set in the image forming apparatus 100a, and only “2 in 1” can be set in the image forming apparatus 100b (“4 in 1” cannot be set). To do. In this case, a setting item (setting) having all setting values that can obtain the same result (including approximation) as the result obtained when the job is executed with “4 in 1” or “2 in 1” set as the setting value. Item 4), “4in1” and “2in1” that can be set in the image forming apparatus 100a are associated with the setting item A, and “2in1” that can be set in the image forming apparatus 100b is associated with the setting item A. In other words, “4 in 1” and “2 in 1” that are set values that can be set in the image forming apparatus 100a and “2 in 1” that can be set in the image forming apparatus 100b are classified into the same group. In FIG. 5, as another example, “monochrome” that is a setting value that can be set by the image forming apparatus 100a, and “monochrome” and “color” that can be set by the image forming apparatus 100b are shown. The example classified into the same group is also illustrated.

  Then, the control unit 210 of the server 200 changes the selected setting value (setting value at the time of job execution of the image forming apparatus 100 indicated by the usage history information) to a setting value applicable to the image forming apparatus 100 to be used. Then, based on the setting value determination information T, the setting value corresponding to the selected setting value is determined from the setting values of the setting items of the image forming apparatus 100 to be used. In other words, the setting value corresponding to the image forming apparatus 100 to be used is determined from the group to which the selected setting value belongs. For example, it is assumed that the image forming apparatus 100b is a target of use, and a setting value at the time of job execution of the image forming apparatus 100a is selected as a setting value to be set in the image forming apparatus 100b. Here, it is assumed that “4 in 1” is selected. In this case, the control unit 210 first associates “4 in 1”, which is a setting value (selected setting value) at the time of job execution of the image forming apparatus 100a, with the setting item A defined in the setting value determination information T. Determine that it is attached. Thereafter, the control unit 210 determines a setting value associated with the setting item A defined in the setting value determination information T from the setting values of the setting items included in the image forming apparatus 100b. That is, the set value determined by the control unit 210 is “2 in 1”.

  Thereafter, the control unit 210 of the server 200 instructs the communication unit 213 to set setting information for changing the setting value of the current image forming apparatus 100 to be used to the set value that has been determined. 100 is transmitted. As a result, the current setting value of the image forming apparatus 100 to be used is set so that a result that is substantially the same (including approximation) as the result obtained when the job is executed with the setting value selected by the user is obtained. Be changed.

  For example, regarding “density” as a setting item, an output result when the density setting value is set to “3” in the image forming apparatus 100a and a density setting value when the density setting value is set to “2” in the image forming apparatus 100b. If the output result is substantially the same (including approximation), the density setting value “3” of the image forming apparatus 100a and the density setting value “2” of the image forming apparatus 100b are classified into the same group. Also good. As a result, even if the image forming apparatuses 100a and 100b are the same model, even if the output result (density, color, etc.) varies with time, the density, color, etc. are adjusted, and the user Can approach the desired image quality.

  Note that the control unit 210 of the server 200 updates the set value determination information T stored in the storage unit 212 when a new image forming apparatus is added to the image forming system SA. For example, it is conceivable to acquire information indicating the setting items and setting values of the newly added image forming apparatus using Java (registered trademark) or the like and update the setting value determination information T.

  By the way, when the control unit 210 of the server 200 performs the setting value determination process based on the setting value determination information T, if there is no setting value corresponding to the selected setting value, the control unit 210 substitutes for the selected setting value. Determine the setting value.

  For example, a user who selects “4 in 1” or “2 in 1” as a setting value to be set in the image forming apparatus 100 to be used is likely to want to suppress output paper as much as possible. For this reason, “single side → double side”, which is a setting value of “both sides / division”, may be defined in advance as an alternative setting value in place of “4 in 1” or “2 in 1”. As a result, print data for two sheets is printed on both sides of one sheet, so that the number of output sheets can be reduced.

  However, some users do not want to execute jobs with alternative setting values. Therefore, the control unit 110 of the image forming apparatus 100 instructs the operation panel 101 to display the alternative setting value indicated by the setting information transmitted from the server 200 so as to be visually identifiable. Whether or not to confirm the set value to be actually set is accepted. Further, if there are a plurality of alternative setting values, it is accepted whether any of the plurality of alternative setting values is to be determined as the setting value to be actually set. For example, the operation panel 101 displays a reception screen S2 as shown in FIG. Then, when permitting execution of a job with an alternative setting value, the user selects a desired alternative setting value and presses an “OK” key K11. On the other hand, when the user does not permit the execution of the job with the alternative setting value, the user presses the “cancel” key K12.

  Further, if the control unit 110 of the image forming apparatus 100 is restricted from executing the job with the setting value (the setting value determined by the control unit 210 of the server 200) indicated by the setting information transmitted from the server 200, Prior to job execution, the fact that job execution is restricted is notified. For example, for a scan job or a fax job, the transmission destination address corresponds to the set value. That is, the setting value indicated by the setting information transmitted from the server 200 includes a transmission destination address. In this case, transmission from the target image forming apparatus 100 to the selected transmission destination address may be disabled. At this time, the operation panel 101 displays a message indicating that the job cannot be executed, as shown in FIG. Further, a message prompting confirmation of the set value may be displayed.

(Flow for sending setting information from the server to the image forming device)
Next, a flow when setting information is transmitted from the server 200 to the image forming apparatus 100 will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG.

  The start of the flowchart shown in FIG. 8 is when the use history information selected by the user is transmitted from the image forming apparatus 100 to be used to the server 200. First, in step S1, the control unit 210 of the server 200 instructs the communication unit 213 to acquire the selected usage history information.

  In step S <b> 2, the control unit 210 of the server 200 determines whether or not the image forming apparatus 100 indicated by the selected usage history information is different from the image forming apparatus 100 to be used. That is, it is determined whether or not a setting value at the time of job execution of the image forming apparatus 100 different from the image forming apparatus 100 to be used is selected. As a result of the determination, if the image forming apparatus 100 indicated by the selected use history information is different from the image forming apparatus 100 to be used, the process proceeds to step S3.

  In step S <b> 3, the control unit 210 of the server 200 uses the setting value at the time of job execution of the image forming apparatus 100 indicated by the selected use history information based on the setting value determination information T as the use target image forming apparatus 100. A setting value discrimination process for changing to a setting value applicable to the above is performed. That is, based on the setting value determination information T, the control unit 210 of the server 200 selects a setting value selected from the setting values of the setting items of the image forming apparatus 100 to be used (image formation indicated by the use history information). The setting value corresponding to the setting value at the time of job execution of the apparatus 100 is determined. In step 4, the control unit 210 of the server 200 instructs the communication unit 213 to set setting information for changing the current setting value of the image forming apparatus 100 to be used to the setting value that has been used. The image is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 100.

  On the other hand, when the image forming apparatus 100 indicated by the selected use history information is the same as the image forming apparatus 100 to be used in step S2, the process proceeds to step S5. In step S5, the control unit 210 of the server 200 instructs the communication unit 213 to use setting information for changing the current setting value of the image forming apparatus 100 to be used to the setting value selected by the user. The image is transmitted to the target image forming apparatus 100.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the storage unit 212 of the server 200 (information processing apparatus) is information indicating the correspondence between the setting items of each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses 100, and is the image forming apparatus 100 to be used. The setting value discriminating information T, which is information for discriminating the setting value corresponding to the selected setting value, from the setting values of the setting items included in is stored. Further, the control unit 210 (processing unit) of the server 200 selects a setting value at the time of job execution of the image forming apparatus 100 different from the image forming apparatus 100 to be used as a setting value to be set for the image forming apparatus 100 to be used. The setting value corresponding to the selected setting value is determined from the setting values of the setting items of the target image forming apparatus 100 based on the setting value determination information T. Setting information for changing the setting value of the forming apparatus 100 to the determined setting value is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 100 to be used. In other words, in this embodiment, as the setting value to be set in the image forming apparatus 100 to be used, the setting value at the time of job execution of the image forming apparatus 100 having a specification (for example, manufacturer) different from the image forming apparatus 100 to be used is used. Is selected, the setting value selected by the user is used so that the same result (including approximation) as the result obtained when the job is executed with the setting value selected by the user is obtained. To the setting value applicable to the image forming apparatus 100, and the changed setting value is set in the image forming apparatus 100 to be used. As a result, even when a setting value at the time of job execution of the image forming apparatus 100 having a different specification from the image forming apparatus 100 to be used is set in the image forming apparatus 100 to be used, the image forming apparatus 100 to be used Since it is not necessary to perform an input operation for changing the current set value to a desired set value, convenience for the user is improved.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the storage unit 212 of the server 200 stores use history information indicating the use history of the image forming apparatus 100 that has executed a job among the plurality of image forming apparatuses 100, and forms an image. The apparatus 100 receives a use history information selection instruction, and sets a setting value at the time of job execution of the image forming apparatus 100 indicated by the selected use history information as a setting value to be set in the image forming apparatus 100 to be used. Accept to select. As a result, when it is desired to set a desired set value in the image forming apparatus 100 to be used, it is only necessary to select use history information when a job has been executed with the desired set value before. Will improve.

  Further, in the present embodiment, as described above, when the control unit 210 of the server 200 determines the setting value corresponding to the image forming apparatus 100 to be used based on the setting value determination information T, the selected setting value correspondence is selected. If there is no setting value to be determined, an alternative setting value to replace the selected setting value is determined. Accordingly, when the current setting value of the image forming apparatus 100 to be used cannot be changed to a desired setting value, it is not necessary to check an alternative setting value, so that convenience for the user is improved.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the image forming apparatus 100 accepts whether or not to confirm an alternative setting value that replaces the selected setting value as a setting value to be actually set. Thus, for a user who does not want to execute a job with an alternative setting value, the job can be canceled, which is convenient.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the image forming apparatus 100 determines that the control unit 210 of the server 200 determines that execution of a job with the setting value determined by the control unit 210 of the server 200 is restricted. Informs that the job execution at the set value is restricted. Accordingly, it is possible for the user to quickly recognize that the execution of the job is restricted, which is convenient.

  Further, in the present embodiment, as described above, the control unit 210 of the server 200 receives information indicating setting items and setting values of the newly added image forming apparatus from the newly added image forming apparatus. Acquire and update the set value discrimination information T. Thereby, even if a new image forming apparatus is added, the set value determination process based on the set value determination information T can be performed reliably.

  It should be thought that embodiment disclosed this time is an illustration and restrictive at no points. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the description of the above-described embodiment but by the scope of claims for patent, and further includes meanings equivalent to the scope of claims for patent and all modifications within the scope.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the image forming system SA is configured by the plurality of image forming apparatuses 100 and the server 200 has been described. However, the portable information terminal 300 may be added to the image forming system SA. That is, as shown in FIG. 9, an image forming system SB may be configured by a plurality of image forming apparatuses 100, a server 200, and a portable information terminal 300.

  The portable information terminal 300 includes a control unit 310 having a CPU 311 as shown in FIG. The control unit 310 is connected to a storage unit 312 that stores a control program and control data, and controls each unit constituting the portable information terminal 300. For example, the control unit 310 controls the communication unit 313, the short-range communication unit 314, and the operation display unit 315.

  The communication unit 313 can transmit and receive information via the network NT by communicating with the nearest base station. Note that a call with portable information terminal 300 may be enabled by connecting a communication unit (microphone and speaker) to communication unit 313. The short-range communication unit 314 is provided for performing short-range wireless communication with the image forming apparatus 100. The operation display unit 315 is a liquid crystal display unit with a touch panel, displays various types of information, and accepts input operations from the user.

  Here, the storage unit 312 of the portable information terminal 300 stores usage history information (file name, job execution date / time, size, file type, etc.) indicating the usage history of the image forming apparatus 100 that executed the job among the plurality of image forming apparatuses 100. And information indicating setting values at the time of execution of the job). Then, the operation display unit 315 of the portable information terminal 300 receives the use history information selection instruction, and as a setting value to be set in the image forming apparatus 100 to be used, the image forming apparatus indicated by the selected use history information. 100 is accepted to select a setting value at the time of job execution (a setting value selection instruction to be set for the image forming apparatus 100 to be used is accepted). Thereafter, the communication unit 312 of the portable information terminal 300 transmits the selected usage history information (information indicating the selected setting value) to the server 200.

  In the image forming system SB shown in FIG. 9, when the user changes the current setting value of the target image forming apparatus 100 to a desired setting value, the user goes to the side of the target image forming apparatus 100. There is no need and convenience is good.

  Furthermore, the server 200 may be omitted in the image forming system SB shown in FIG. That is, as shown in FIG. 10, an image forming system SC may be configured with a plurality of image forming apparatuses 100 and portable information terminals 300. In this case, the portable information terminal 300 corresponds to the “information processing apparatus” of the present invention. In addition, the control unit 310 of the portable information terminal 300 corresponds to the “processing unit” of the present invention.

  In the image forming system SC shown in FIG. 10, the storage unit 312 of the portable information terminal 300 stores the set value discrimination information T (see FIG. 5), and the control unit 310 of the portable information terminal 300 performs the set value discrimination process. Then, after setting value determination processing by the control unit 310 of the portable information terminal 300, communication is performed between the image forming apparatus 100 to be used and the portable information terminal 300 by the communication unit 313 of the portable information terminal 300, Setting information is transmitted from the information terminal 300 to the image forming apparatus 100 to be used. At this time, the near field communication unit 314 of the portable information terminal 300 can perform near field communication between the image forming apparatus 100 to be used and the portable information terminal 300. With this configuration, it is not necessary for the user to go to the side of the image forming apparatus 100 to be used when changing the current setting value of the image forming apparatus 100 to be used to a desired setting value. Convenience is good.

100 image forming apparatus 200 server (information processing apparatus)
210 Control unit (processing unit)
212 storage unit 300 portable information terminal (information processing apparatus)
310 Control unit (processing unit)
312 Storage unit SA, SB, SC Image forming system T Set value discrimination information

Claims (8)

A plurality of image forming apparatuses;
Setting information that is communicably connected to the plurality of image forming apparatuses and that changes the current setting value of the setting item of the target image forming apparatus among the plurality of image forming apparatuses to the selected setting value. An information processing apparatus that transmits the image to the image forming apparatus to be used,
The information processing apparatus includes:
Information indicating a correspondence relationship between setting values of setting items of each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses, and corresponding to the selected setting value among setting values of the setting items of the image forming apparatus to be used. A storage unit that stores setting value determination information that is information for determining a setting value;
When a setting value at the time of job execution of an image forming apparatus different from the image forming apparatus to be used is selected as a setting value to be set for the image forming apparatus to be used, based on the setting value determination information, The setting value corresponding to the selected setting value is determined from the setting values of the setting items included in the image forming apparatus to be used, and the current setting value of the image forming apparatus to be used is determined. An image forming system comprising: a processing unit that transmits setting information for changing settings to the image forming apparatus to be used. The storage unit of the information processing apparatus stores use history information indicating a use history of an image forming apparatus that has executed a job among the plurality of image forming apparatuses.
The use target image forming apparatus or the information processing apparatus receives the use history information selection instruction, and is indicated by the selected use history information as a setting value to be set in the use target image forming apparatus. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus accepts selection of a setting value at the time of job execution of the image forming apparatus.   When the processing unit of the information processing apparatus determines a setting value corresponding to the image forming apparatus to be used based on the setting value determination information, if there is no setting value corresponding to the selected setting value, The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein an alternative setting value that replaces the selected setting value is determined.   4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the image forming apparatus or the information processing apparatus to be used accepts whether or not an alternative setting value that replaces the selected setting value is determined as a setting value that is actually set. The image forming system described.   If the image forming apparatus or the information processing apparatus to be used is restricted from executing the job with the setting value determined by the information processing apparatus in the image forming apparatus to be used, the execution of the job is limited. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the image forming system is notified of the fact.   The processing unit of the information processing apparatus acquires information indicating setting items and setting values of the newly added image forming apparatus from the newly added image forming apparatus, and updates the setting value determination information. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the image forming system is an image forming system. A portable information terminal connected to be communicable with the plurality of image forming apparatuses and the information processing apparatus;
The portable information terminal receives an instruction to select a setting value to be set in the image forming apparatus to be used, and transmits information indicating the selected setting value to the information processing apparatus. The image forming system according to claim 6. Setting information for changing the current setting value of a setting item included in the image forming apparatus to be used among the plurality of image forming apparatuses to a selected setting value, which is communicably connected to the plurality of image forming apparatuses. An information processing apparatus for transmitting to the image forming apparatus to be used,
Information indicating a correspondence relationship between setting values of setting items of each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses, and corresponding to the selected setting value among setting values of the setting items of the image forming apparatus to be used. A storage unit that stores setting value determination information that is information for determining a setting value;
When a setting value at the time of job execution of an image forming apparatus different from the image forming apparatus to be used is selected as a setting value to be set for the image forming apparatus to be used, based on the setting value determination information, The setting value corresponding to the selected setting value is determined from the setting values of the setting items included in the image forming apparatus to be used, and the current setting value of the image forming apparatus to be used is determined. An information processing apparatus comprising: a processing unit configured to transmit setting information for changing a setting to the image forming apparatus to be used.

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